Language Immersion Courses in Austria

Austria is a German-speaking country, and German is also the language of most of its higher education. According to Study in Austria, the official study portal of the OeAD (Austria's agency for education and internationalisation), German is the predominant language at Austrian universities and universities of applied sciences; some universities ask for level B2 and others for C1.

Language schools in Austria therefore serve two groups. Some students want German for work, travel or daily life. Others are international applicants who must reach the German level their university requires before they can start a degree. Most providers are adult-education institutions: university language centres, private language institutes and exam centres. Their courses follow the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), from A1 to C2.

How German courses in Austria work

The main course formats are:

• Intensive daytime courses of a few weeks, often planned to complete half or a full CEFR level
• Semester courses with evening classes, run alongside the university year
• Evening and weekend courses for people who work
• Exam preparation, above all for the ÖSD exams
• University preparation programmes (Vorstudienlehrgang) for admitted university applicants

Two examples show the range. Deutsch in Österreich (German in Austria) is the language centre at the University of Klagenfurt. Its first German courses were held in the summer of 1979, with 44 participants. Today it offers intensive courses and a semester evening course in German as a foreign and second language: each semester lasts four months, with two sessions of three 45-minute teaching units a week, and a completed course earns 9 ECTS credits. In Vienna, the abc Bildungszentrum was founded in 1988 and started with Latin and Ancient Greek courses for students. It now runs German courses from A1 to C1 as daytime intensive, evening and weekend courses, on site or online, and prepares candidates for ÖSD exams.

The ÖSD (Österreichisches Sprachdiplom Deutsch) is, according to Study in Austria, a state-approved examination system for German as a foreign and second language. Its exams cover levels A1 to C2 and are held at more than 200 exam centres in over 40 countries. For schools, there is a national quality mark for adult education, Ö-Cert, awarded by the federal government and the regional governments on a legal basis; certified providers appear in the Ö-Cert directory.

Admission and the route to university

General German courses have no academic entry requirements. Schools place new students with a placement test; at the abc Bildungszentrum, for example, the placement test for German courses is free. It is possible to start before arriving: the Österreich Institute run German courses outside Austria, in Rome, Ljubljana, Warsaw, Kraków, Bratislava, Budapest and Brno.

University preparation programmes are different. Only students already admitted by an Austrian university can enrol in a preparation programme German course, and for programmes taught mainly in German they first need a certificate of at least A2. At the University of Klagenfurt, regular studies require B2/b or, for some programmes, C1; the admission letter states how many semesters an applicant has to reach that level (for example three semesters if B2/b is required).

Visa rules depend on nationality. The OeAD explains that students admitted to an Austrian higher education institution for less than six months can apply for a Visa C (up to 90 days) or a Visa D (91 days to six months) at the Austrian embassy or consulate in their country of residence; the OeAD recommends applying at least four weeks before travelling. Travel health insurance with cover well over €30,000 is required. Students who come only for a language course should check their case with the Austrian embassy before booking.

Costs and funding

Course fees vary by school, course length and intensity, so it is best to compare the current price lists of the schools. For living costs, Study in Austria estimates about €1,300 a month for a student, based on the Statistik Austria student social survey 2025. A place in a student residence costs about €450 to €700 a month, and a single public transport ticket in a city costs around €3.20. Vienna is more expensive than smaller towns.

Free resources help before and during a course: the ÖIF language portal offers over 5,000 exercises and more than 70 free live online courses. People who live and work in Vienna may be eligible for course funding; the abc Bildungszentrum states that it is a training provider certified by the Vienna employee promotion fund (WAFF).

How to choose a language school in Austria

• Goal: everyday German, an ÖSD certificate or the German level for a university
• Schedule: intensive daytime course, semester course or evening and weekend classes
• City: Vienna, the capital, or a smaller university town such as Klagenfurt
• Recognition: whether the course ends with an official exam or only a school certificate
• Quality: whether the provider is listed in the Ö-Cert directory
• Accommodation: some schools book rooms; in Klagenfurt, the language centre arranges youth hostel rooms in spring and autumn and a student residence in summer

Frequently asked questions

Do I need German to study at a university in Austria?

Usually yes. German is the main language at Austrian universities, and they ask for level B2 or C1. The exact requirement depends on the university and the programme.

Which German exam can I take in Austria?

The ÖSD exams are the Austrian German exams. They are state-approved and cover levels A1 to C2, and many language schools prepare candidates for them.

How much does it cost to live in Austria while learning German?

Study in Austria estimates about €1,300 a month for a student, including €450 to €700 for a room in a student residence. Course fees come on top and vary by school.

Can I join a university preparation programme without a university admission?

No. Only applicants already admitted by an Austrian university can enrol in a preparation programme German course. Other learners can take courses at a language school.